<p>From slim loafers to heavy derbies and polished slip-ons, men&rsquo;s footwear is opening up again after years of sneaker dominance.</p>

<p data-start="229" data-end="607">For the better part of the last decade, sneakers dictated how men dressed. Pretty much everything revolved around them. Tailoring, for example, became looser to accommodate them. Even trousers were cropped higher to show them off. And entire outfits were built around the latest drop. Whether it was minimalist white leather pairs or aggressively technical runners, sneakers became the default setting in menswear.</p>
<p data-start="609" data-end="646">Now, that grip seems to be loosening.</p>
<p data-start="648" data-end="1077">Sneakers are still part of the rotation, but they no longer feel like the only answer. Across fashion week street style, campaigns, and everyday wardrobes, men are rotating back into shoes with more structure. Starting with loafers, which are becoming everyday staples again. Derbies are also moving beyond formalwear territory. More and more people are rocking slip-ons and mules, too.</p>

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<p data-start="1079" data-end="1435">After years of dressing built around comfort and hype, there is a growing appetite for shoes that change the tone of a fit. A loafer, derby, or slip-on can do a lot of things. It can change denim immediately, give relaxed tailoring more weight, and make an outfit feel more put together than a sneaker ever could.</p>
<p data-start="1437" data-end="1976">Loafers, in particular, have become the clearest sign of where things are headed. The slimmer penny loafer has returned as the most versatile option, working just as well with jeans and oversized trousers as it does with tailoring. Brands like <span class="whitespace-normal">Sebago</span> and <span class="whitespace-normal">G.H. Bass</span> continue to anchor the classic end of the category, while labels such as <span class="whitespace-normal">The Row</span> and <span class="whitespace-normal">Saint Laurent</span> are pushing cleaner silhouettes and more directional textures.</p>
<p data-start="1978" data-end="2484">At the same time, chunkier loafers are gaining traction as menswear moves further into wider proportions and looser fits. Heavy soles balance oversized trousers better than slim sneakers do, which explains why styles once considered too bulky now feel current again. The popularity of ripple-toe loafers and textured leather finishes also points to a broader interest in shoes with more detail, especially among younger men who want something sharper than a sneaker without committing too much.</p>

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<p data-start="2486" data-end="3169">Derbies are seeing a similar resurgence. Once reserved mostly for office wear or formal occasions, they now feel far more flexible. A clean black derby works with relaxed tailoring, straight denim, or even shorts if styled correctly. <span class="whitespace-normal">Dr. Martens</span> continues to dominate the entry-level market with its 1461 styles, while <span class="whitespace-normal">Paraboot</span> has become a favorite among men leaning into chunkier silhouettes. More fashion-driven labels like <span class="whitespace-normal">Toga</span> and <span class="whitespace-normal">Marni</span> are adding hardware, exaggerated shapes, and high-shine finishes that push the category further into statement territory.</p>
<p data-start="3171" data-end="3762">Then there are slip-ons, which have become one of the strongest alternatives to sneakers. <span class="whitespace-normal">Lemaire</span> helped popularize minimalist leather slip-ons that pair naturally with cropped trousers and softer tailoring, while brands like <span class="whitespace-normal">Our Legacy</span> and Or&eacute;e&nbsp;are experimenting with mule shapes and hybrid designs that sit somewhere between casual footwear and formal shoes.</p>
<p data-start="3764" data-end="4184">Interestingly, none of these categories feel tied to one aesthetic. Neither preppy nor resort wear. Men are mixing and matching these shoes into wardrobes that still include vintage denim, oversized outerwear, athletic basics, and traditional suiting.</p>
<p data-start="4186" data-end="4421">Sneakers are not disappearing anytime soon. They remain too embedded in fashion and too practical to fall out of favor completely. But it&rsquo;s nice that men are paying attention to shoes again, not for hype or resale value, but for how they shape the way an outfit actually looks.</p>

Mingyu at Incheon International Airport 2026. Courtesy of Dior.

Are Men Finally Moving On From Sneakers?

L'OFFICIEL PHILIPPINES MAY 2026 - Kylie Verzosa ₱600

Are Men Finally Moving On From Sneakers?

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